I have tried a handful of times (and only completing two of the projects) to craft an article of clothing using a pattern. Burda patterns are notoriously intimidating (my mom even thinks so!) and sometimes difficult to read for beginners. Leave it to Threadbanger to find the ladies of Burda to explain how to read their intricate patterns. And thus, I pass on this information to you:

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

My DIY curtain-rod project I documented last week was mentioned in the most recent Decor-It-Yourself episode on Threadbanger! Take a look! (Also, while watching the video keep an eye out for a bright yellow El Harto bag that I made for Meg last year!)

Tomorrow I am starting the "30-Day Challenge" at Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill. One 90 minute hot yoga class every day for the next 30 days. For the sake of learning, each day I will post information about a new pose, starting tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

In an earlier post, I had mentioned how i was going to use Meg of Enderby's idea from Threadbanger to create some DIY window treatments using sticks and some handmade curtains. Well, I have successfully done so. Check out the pictures:

1. I found these branches behind of my parents house in Germantown. The only thing harmed in this selection was my parents reputation, no cutting branches off trees y'all.

2. With the ease of a friendly backyard, I sanded the branches and sprayed them with two coats of white indoor/outdoor spray paint.

3. Using some inexpesive shear curtains from Target (my first trip to the new Columbia Heights Target) and a thrifted dress that i haven't found any other use for, I made some nice embellished curtains with some new loops!

4. After attaching some poles i found at my local hardware store, i was able to hang the painted branches and my new curtains!

5. I repeated the process for the two smaller windows and TA-DAH! New, handmade, one-of-a-kind window treatments! Thanks for the idea, Meg!

Monday, April 7, 2008

We arrive at the hotel around 11pm. It was a short walk from Penn Station, shorter and more convenient than i could have imagined. We roll our luggage into the lobby, greeted by people with great haircuts and even better shoes. There is art and random doo-dads everywhere in this place, hanging from the ceiling, the walls, and posted on the floor. Each piece of furniture is completely different. "We ran out of single rooms so we are going to put you guys in a suite... room 611". The room could be easily overlooked, a tiny piece of paper with the number 611 scratched in pen and stuck to the door with some scotch tape. The lack of a proper door number was not actually a sign of how our room(s) would look. There was an ENTRANCE HALLWAY. Walk straight ahead and there was a common area with a fireplace, a huge chaise lounge and small windows/doors that opened to the balcony. Outside and to the left was the big neon sign, "Hotel Chealsea". Back inside and to the right was a bedroom with access to the balcony, a huge bathroom, closet and an egg chair. Behind was a kitchenette with cabinets, a table and two chairs, a sink and a mini-fridge. Left of the entrance hallway was a bar/kitchenette that led to the master suite with another chaise, a huge bed, beautiful bathroom and large bay windows. "This must be a joke". "We are never leaving".

see www.letsnottalkaboutart.blogspot.com (link to the right) for more NY photos.